from "Excalibur" Read the paragraph. "However, when the king rose at the feast to grant fiefdoms [parcels of land], the nobles refused them. They shouted, 'We will take nothing from a beardless boy of unknown birth! Rather, we will make him presents of sword strokes between the head and shoulders.'" How does this paragraph contribute to the meaning of the story? A. It shows that the nobles plan to kill Arthur. B. It shows how Arthur will convince the nobles to support him. C. It creates a mental picture of the nobles. D. It explains why Arthur has not been a very successful king.